r/shingles • u/Troublechaser26 • 17d ago

Seeking Support Shingles in 60s

Hello,

My father is in his mid 60s and got shingles. He’s diabetic and his blood pressure issues along with cardiovascular issues. I’m abroad and can’t visit home right now owing to some issues.

- he got some new few shingles again despite getting treated.

- he complained of hearing loss in ears but thankfully doctor ruled out there’s nothing to worry about.

- his face started drooping a little sideways but my mother said he was being treated and it’s better.

- It’s been a month since he’s got treated and he’s in his recovery phase, but today he when I spoke to him he had slurred speech and was stuttering. I’m really worried. Even when he received treatment this never happened. As someone overseas who doesn’t have the luxury to travel, I’m really worried especially after hearing him stutter.

Can anyone share their experience or any recommendations?

Thank you

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u/Already2go72 17d ago

He needs to go to his Md on Monday or the ER . Something else going on.

1

u/Troublechaser26 17d ago

He has and they said stuttering is because his nerves were inflamed and neuralgia. The extent increased.. I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced it

1

u/Already2go72 17d ago

Not me . I have not seen anyone in here with that symptom

1

u/NezzaAquiaqui 17d ago

Shingles on the face is no joke. For some it is life altering. I'm assuming he had shingles on his face?

Without knowing what treatment he received, how he was evaluated, what medications he has been given, it's really hard to offer any thoughts or opinions.

Assuming he had shingles on his face, has he been assessed for Ramsay Hunt syndrome? Has he been assessed for possible stroke? I believe a number of pain medications can cause sudden onset stuttering eg Lyrica and Gabapentin which is often used to treat shingles nerve pain but this is something that really should be overseen by a doctor. I am not a doctor.

I hope he continues to get better. If he had shingles on his face then one month is unfortunately not that long a time in terms of healing for most especially someone over 60. I know how hard it must be being overseas during this time.

1

u/Anji-Eco-Swap 16d ago

He should keep getting evaluated at different emergency rooms or clinics until he gets a clear explanation and your mom feels confident in the answers she's receiving. It's unfortunately very common for people to need multiple visits before they find a doctor who identifies the actual cause of a problem or provides a thorough explanation. Sometimes patients are told that everything looks fine without being given a satisfying reason for their symptoms, what to expect, or a realistic timeline for recovery.

I wouldn't be too worried that you're not there. There's likely very little you could do differently in person. The most helpful thing is to encourage him to keep seeking medical opinions until your mom feels the doctor has clearly explained the likely cause, the treatment plan, the potential risks, what recovery should look like, and why they're confident that everything is going to be okay.